Camping with toddler gear

[JaspP]

Hi all,
So over easter we've decided to take our 2 year old camping for the first time to see how he finds it... hoping he'll see it as one big adventure weekend. But as we've never been with a child before, we wanted to see what kinds of things we need to bring... we have the fun things like walkie talkies, and the little camp chair, and his own personal torch and kiddy plastic cup and plate and stuff... but we've been wondering about sleeping arrangements.

We've been looking at getting one of these travel bed things: http://www.prams.net/hauck-dream-n-play-plus-travel-cot-mattress-carry-bag-blue as it looks pretty handy to have since he's only 2... and we've checked that the measurements will fit in the tent! But do we need one, or is this the wrong kind of travel bed to go camping with? Also, we really don't want him to get cold whilst we're out... were you using a duvet type thing in one of these or will putting something that thick in there become a kind of dangerous situation?

So yeah, I await your thoughts good people!

 

[sunndog]

Can you not just put em in a waterproof sack and hang it from the roof of the tent?

Seems the easiest option

 

[daf187]

We used a littlelife Arc2, set up within our big tent. Our little ones slept in vango nitestar sleeping bags because we picked them up cheap locally. The advantage with the Arc2-type mini-shelters is that you can cover them with a blanket to block out light when necessary, ie for those midsummer nights when it's light 'til late. It also keeps them secure if you don't have sewn-in groundsheet and of course you can use it as its primary function as a beach shelter if the need arises.

 

[JaspP]

Can you not just put em in a waterproof sack and hang it from the roof of the tent?

Seems the easiest option

ahahah oh if only that was allowed!

 

[JaspP]

We used a littlelife Arc2, set up within our big tent. Our little ones slept in vango nitestar sleeping bags because we picked them up cheap locally. The advantage with the Arc2-type mini-shelters is that you can cover them with a blanket to block out light when necessary, ie for those midsummer nights when it's light 'til late. It also keeps them secure if you don't have sewn-in groundsheet and of course you can use it as its primary function as a beach shelter if the need arises.

Great, thanks for the advice, I'll look into it!

 

[Grebby]

We use a Kampa - Airlock Junior Airbed with a sheepskin on it then their normal bedding from home (makes everything more familiar and comforting).
Doesn't stop them escapeing but does mean that they are easier to get to.

The travel cot thingies are a PITA to lug about and weighty.

 

[Paul_B]

We used one of those but IIRC by 2 we'd tried a combined airbed and sleeping bag. You can pick them up cheap from Argos and other places. Add blankets underneath/on top and you'll get away with ac range of temperatures. We managed with a 4 month old waking up to ice on the tent in one of those travel cots.

BTW at 18 months our little one was an escape artist. There was a tiny tear in the bug mesh. We caught him sticking his head through it, then shoulders, then body and a giggling toddler running for freedom. Funny but it left us with 24 hour guard duty between us.

One more thing, we used a double sleeping bag that was really warm. Our little one took a dislike to sleeping bags but liked the double sleeping bag. Your child will like what they like. Just bring toys and rugs or blankets for the floor of the tent. It's good to have insulation for your child to play on. Especially Easter-time when it can be cold overnight.

 

[Qwerty]

£5 cheap type foam mat on the ground sheet, with inflatable air mattress on top (small kids version will lip around to stop them sliding off), kids sleeping bag and a fleece type of blanket on top of it all. Never had any trouble with that set up with either of ours when car camping.

 

[dwardo]

Travel cots are great as they also contain the little bleeders Just remember to double the insulation underneath. All you do will likely be in vein and they will end up in bed with you ..

Good tip for the single and double blow up mattresses is fitted bed sheets. In all but the height of summer the thickness of those mats makes for a cold sleep unless you insulate well.

We have a double sleeping back which goes directly on top of the mattress and we then put a fitted bed sheet over the top which holds the sleeping back in place. Then usually its our usual duvet on top. If cooler we alsi use closed cell mats under the mattress.

Sounds like a lot of faffing but it all packs down small and weighs very little.

Enjoy.

 

[Paul_B]

We prefer insulation on top of air beds not underneath. I think it's more efficient.

Blankets, ideally wool under the child bedding is a good idea if cool. We do the same with our double airbed. We then have a really cosy double sleeping bag from Vango. No matter how nice and cosy our little one's bed kit was he always ended up in with us. One time my partner ended up in his child's sleeping bag. Seriously your best laid plans will come to naught if your little one decides your bed is theirs!

 

[sunndog]

Reading these replies about bed stealing and such.....my sack idea is looking better and better